Now that we've taken a look at the two brand new ships of the Empire, we turn our attention to the existing ships that the developers have incorporated into the game.

TIE Advanced The TIE Advanced is the prototype TIE fighter flown by Darth Vader at the Battle of Yavin. An experimental craft combining TIE fighter technology with more conventional starfighter components, like a hyperdrive and deflector shield generators, the TIE Advanced eventually became the template for the incredibly efficient TIE Interceptor. As in all TIE starfighters, the prototype's propulsion system revolves around twin ion engines, although its solar ionization reactor is much more powerful than those on standard TIE fighters. Despite the improved power supply, Vader's TIE proved only slightly faster than the previous TIE models due to inefficient shield generators, which consumed a great deal of power, and the increased mass created by the addition of heavy armor plating.

With Darth Vader at the controls, the TIE Advanced is a devastating starfighter. While piloting the prototype, Vader very nearly thwarted the Rebel Alliance's attempt to destroy the Death Star. Only the last-minute arrival of Han Solo and the Millennium Falcon prevented the Sith Lord from firing on Luke Skywalker's X-wing. After being clipped by the Falcon's quad laser cannons, the prototype spun into space. Vader eventually regained of control of the craft and fled to the nearest Imperial facility. The prototype has been repaired and remains one of Vader's most prized possessions.

TIE Aggressor The TIE Aggressor is a heavy fighter-bomber multi-role craft that was developed prior to the destruction of the first Death Star and as a direct response to a perceived growth in the amount of heavy shipping aligned with the Rebel Alliance. Its most obvious design feature is an anti-fighter defensive turret mounted on the aft dorsal surface of the fuselage, and a heavier than normal forward-firing laser cannon battery.

The TIE Aggressor is neither fighter nor bomber, but rather something in between. It's a favorite with the more free-spirited pilots of the Imperial fighter cadre who enjoy longer missions away from base where they can be apart from the larger formations normally associated with an Imperial raid on Rebellion re-supply shipping.

TIE Bomber Of all the TIE fighter variants produced by Sienar Fleet Systems for the Galactic Empire, the TIE bomber is one of the most effective. The heavy assault ship, designed for strategic strikes against surface and deep space targets, is one of the most heavily-armed starships in the Imperial fleet. TIE bombers utilize the distinctive bent wings found on the TIE Advanced prototype. These solar array panels frame a rounded TIE cockpit and a large ordnance pod that can be configured to carry a wide array of destructive weapons. While not nearly as fast or agile as the original TIE fighter, TIE bombers are much more destructive. A single TIE bomber's payload can include a volatile combination of torpedoes, missiles, and other explosives. TIE bombers are deployed against space stations, orbital docking platforms, and orbital facilities, but they are especially effective against capital ships. After standard TIE fighters weaken the target's defenses, the bombers swoop in to disable vital areas such as the shield generators and engines.

TIE Fighter From the beginning of the Galactic Civil War, the Emperor has stressed that the conflict will be a war of attrition. Nowhere is that philosophy more evident than in the design and tactics of the staple starfighter of the Imperial Navy, the TIE fighter. TIE fighters are meant to overwhelm enemy forces in huge numbers and have therefore been designed for speed and affordability rather than resilience. The TIE fighter is built around twin ion engine technology and is among the fastest and most maneuverable craft in the galaxy. The TIE fighter can outrun most Alliance vehicles. And while the TIE fighter's standard laser cannons are not very powerful on their own, when dozens of TIE fighters attack simultaneously, they can demolish anything in their path.

TIE Interceptor The TIE Interceptor is a direct response to the Rebel Alliance's development of faster and more dangerous starfighters. Hoping to develop a vehicle that could compete with the A-wing in both speed and maneuverability, Sienar Fleet Systems has invested huge sums into improving upon the standard TIE fighter's existing twin ion engines. The resulting ion stream projectors allow TIE interceptors to execute tight turns and rolls not possible in most other starfighters. This complex engine system makes the TIE Interceptor one of the fastest starfighter in the Imperial fleet, and it outperforms nearly every starfighter in the galaxy during dogfights. The TIE Interceptor's bent wings, an element lifted directly from the TIE Advanced prototype, give the starfighter a smaller profile and increased power.